Cover Stories

Spring is the season of the new: freshness, growth‚ and the revitalization of earth and life. The essence of the season is certainly apparent in the current local food landscape. New craft beer hubs are cropping up left and right (see page 54 for more details) alongside much-anticipated eateries like Assembly on Pacific Avenue. Meanwhile, alluring new endeavors like the Japanese tapas and ramen restaurant KAITO breathe new life into old locations (in this case, the former home of Pink Godzilla). New technologies are even finding their way into our eateries, such as at The Quail and Thistle Tea Room in Capitola, which recently began accepting Bitcoin as currency. My favorite new thing as of late? It’s hard to choose, but a dirty soy chai from Midtown Cafe is very high on the list.

Iconic editor Buz Bezore, who died last month at the age of 68, left a huge mark on Santa Cruz journalism

Eventually, it’s all a blur. You live long enough, and maybe a little too hard at times, so that when you hit the rewind button of faded memory, it moves so fast that you can hardly sort and gather the details. One scene skips to the next, and to the next, without proper editing or sequencing. Chronologies get distorted. Which came first: stealing the chickens or coloring the eggs?

It starts out healthy enough—or seemingly so. Maybe someone started by cutting out processed foods. Then desserts. Then sugar. Then meat. Maybe they switched to all organic and, while they were at it, went gluten-free and wheat-free. In a culture that has gone health-food crazy, it’s easy to see how some people can take a “healthy” diet to an unhealthy extreme.

Every 20 years, Time magazine depicts people in their 20s as "lazy, entitled, selfish and shallow." This time the target is the Millennial generation (Americans born between roughly 1980 and 2000, with Baby Boomer parents). According to (cough, cough) the Boomer-run media, twentysomethings/Gen Y/Millennials are narcissists.

Local humanitarian and photojournalist Alekz Londos captures a powerful look at relief and despair in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

At first glance, Alekz Londos may appear to be like other Santa Cruzans. He’s healthy, boasts a tremendous amount of creativity and has a strong desire to contribute something valuable to society. But the 33-year-old is definitely in a category all his own. Equal parts bold humanitarian and intrepid daredevil, Londos’ relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda) in November of 2013 makes him one of the more visible agents of change, both locally and internationally.

Typhoon Haiyan devastated Southeast Asia and the Philippines in particular. More than 6,200 people were reportedly killed and more than 1,780 people went missing. Cost of the devastation: $1.5 billion. It is the deadliest Philippines typhoon on record.

The popular icon hits Santa Cruz and dives into some unforgettable bluegrass with the Steep Canyon Rangers*

Steve Martin’s celebrity really took flight back in the 1970s. Then a sharp, unforgettable stand-up comic, the man’s absurdist humor and talented musicianship became something to savor. Nearly four decades later, after establishing himself as a major box office draw, Martin’s orbit remains intact—but for reasons that might have eluded other performers of his generation. For starters, he managed to learn that cookie-cutter Hollywood films may not be the best way to (always) go and, instead, turned to matters of the heart. In his case, that was a deep love of music and performance. Blend all that into his already prolific writing and acting career—among other creative proclivities—and you get the sense that these days, Martin isn’t so much about staying “relevant” as he is giving birth to, and nurturing, good, memorable work. On the eve of a much-anticipated Santa Cruz outing with bluegrass besties the Steep Canyon Rangers, we dissect the icon as he shares a variety of bons mots. Behold: 11 Things You Should Know About Steve Martin …

Savor every drop. Despite forecasts for rain, California remains in a state of drought emergency. Officials weigh on the steps being made to generate solutions

California is running out of water.

It’s rare to go anywhere within recent weeks without hearing Chicken Little-like proclamations about the state’s dwindling water supplies. While much of the East Coast and the Midwest has been pounded with snowfall this winter, California has struggled with what experts say is the least amount of rainfall in more than 150 years. The state is now in its third year of severe drought, the worst on record.

On Feb. 26, 2013, Sgt. Loran ‘Butch’ Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler lost their lives in the line of duty. One year later, in the midst of heightened awareness around local crime and safety, the Santa Cruz community continues the collective healing process

Wednesday Feb. 26 marks the one-year anniversary of the fatal shootings of Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler. Members of the wider Santa Cruz County community will likely be reflecting on the lives of the Santa Cruz police officers, the loss of which, coupled with an immense sadness for their deaths and heightened concern for public safety, have kindled a profound sense of emotional solidarity locally.

Striving to live a happy, healthy and well-rounded life is a full-time commitment. So, why not toss some fun and positive attitude into the journey? In this issue of Good Times’ 55+ magazine, we have plucked a handful of creative souls to remind us of how to do just that—and leading the way is local icon and bestselling author John Robbins. There are others, too, so dive in. And be sure to check out our resource directory (page 28). In the meantime, I’m reminded of something somebody once told me: “You’re not getting older, you’re getting “bolder!” Cheers to that.

For muralist Taylor Reinhold, art is more than a talent or a trade. It’s a lifestyle.

Nearly everything in his small home in the Soquel hills is the product of someone’s artistic ability, from paintings that cover every inch of wall to the ceramic cups he drinks from and the screen-printed T-shirts hanging in his bedroom closet. Mixed in with pieces that belong to Reinhold’s own portfolio of vivid, street-art-inspired paintings are contributions from his robust network of artists. The crew of local creatives, which officially launched in 2009 but whose members go back much further, is known as the Made Fresh Collective (MFC).

Health Screening

Leo Sun; Full Moon, Venus Retro in Leo; Saturn Direct

It’s a complex week of planetary movements, challenges, demands and callings. We’re in the time of the Leo Sun. Leo—fixed fire, gold, the heart, generous, strong, noble, the king/queen—needs appreciation and praise from everyone in order to move forward. During Leo we gain a greater sense of self-identification by recognizing our creativity. It’s therefore a perfect time for Venus retrograding in Leo. In Venus retrograde we review and re-assess values. Venus retro in Leo concerns our self as valuable, acknowledging talents, gifts, abilities and offerings. Friday, Venus re-enters Leo (29 degrees, a critical degree) continuing the retrograde to 14 degrees Leo on Sept. 6.
Friday (Full Moon) is also the (8 degrees) Leo solar festival, Festival of the Future. Leo is the heart of the sun, the heart of all that matters. When attuned to this heart, we have understanding and inclusivity. The heart of the Lion is Mitra (think “Maitreya,” the coming World Teacher). Leo prepares humanity to receive divine love from subtle sources and later to radiate that love to the kingdoms. Sirius, Ray 2, where love originates, streams through Regulus (heart of Leo), into the heart of the sun (Ray 2) and into all hearts. The heart of Leo is Regulus. Joining Venus, the love underlying all of creation appears.
Saturday is Sun/Neptune (confusion or devotion) with late night Saturn turning stationary direct. Ideas, plans and structures held long in abeyance (since March 14) slowly move forward. (Read more on Leo and the week at nightlightnews.org and Risa D’Angeles’ Facebook page, accessed through my website.)

The New Tech Nexus

Community leaders in science and technology unite to form web-based networking program

Holy Cannoli

Is Santa Cruz turning into Malibu North?

It's got a ways to go before it gets wrecked like Malibu, but I think we need to be very careful about growth.
Maria Mattioli, Santa Cruz, Psychotherapist

Bargetto Winery

A much-anticipated annual event at Bargetto Winery is the release of their very special La Vita red wine. June 7 was the day to be heralded this year, and I happily squeezed my car into their overloaded car park in eager anticipation of tasting the new La Vita nectar.